NMUSAF questions for Mustangdriver

[Shay]

Hey pop into the museum today, since hitting the airshow was out of the question with my wife 37 weeks pregnant. So this was the next best thing.

There always somthing different everytime I go, which is often. Couple of things i noticed.

What work is being done on "Shootn In"?






For the mustang afficinados. What is this? I've not seen this on other mustangs or atleast never noticed.




A couple things about the museum's Me 262. To my knowledge the true identity of this swalbe has been determined through lots of research by multiple individuals and then submited to museum to no avail. Do you know why they don't apply the correct markings and werk nummer? Or at the least mention it in the display?

Also shouldn't the slats hang down?





Thanks

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Shay]

Also...........

To anyone what is this package located on the belly of the KC-97 just forward of the boomer position?

(hey MD maybe you can make the suggestion that they illuminate the interior of the boomer's station. )



Any ID what Werk nummer this 190 tail came from? Nothing on the tail or was anything listed on a display.




Just a couple of the George's underside. Never realized they had bare metal undersides.





This one for fun




Shay
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Semper Fortis

[Steve Nelson]

I wonder if somebody damaged the Marauder nose again. During a visit a few years ago, I noticed the gun mount had been wrenched out of place. Obvoiusly, some idiot had tried to do chin-ups on the gun barrel. Next time I visited, it had been fixed.

As for the George, many late-war Japanese aircraft had bare metal undersides to cut costs, wieght, and production time. The upper green was often applied without primer as well, which is why many late war Japanese birds had such badly chipped finishes (not "inferior quality paint" as is popularly believed.)

I notice the Museum is upgrading the interior lighting in the planes. Last time I was there, the Marauder had "Trouble Lights" hanging inside, and the Strawberry Bitch had a flourescent tube in the nose compartment. They seem to be upgrading to strips of LEDs. One thing that kind of annoys me is the increasing use of mannequins in the aircraft. I suppose it gives the average visitor a "feel" for what it was like for the aircrews, but it makes it nearly impossible for us model geeks to photograph the interiors.

SN

Last edited by Steve Nelson on Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Pat]

Shay-
I believe the lights on the belly of the KC-97 are for alignment reference for the aircraft being refueled.

-Pat

[Pat]

Oops, duplicate post...
-Pat

[Robbie Roberts]

I agree- looks to be an early form of a PDI.

To the NMUSAF crew- Do you think they may have any interest in a pre-WWII (1938 vintage) "Instrument Field Testing Set Type C-1"? I have one in excellent restored and operable shape, almost complete, that I am considering selling, as I really am moving my WWII collection towards aircraft radios more than maintenance, and would be willing to sell it to the right place for the right price...

PM me if they may be interested(or anyone else, for that matter- though I'd be kinda proud to see it at NMUSAF) Pics are available...

Robbie

[mustangdriver]

Robbie, you bet. I will shoot you a PM on who to contact.

Shay, the nose is off for a few reaons. They wanted to put a few lights inside so that you can see the interior of the plane a little, and a few items were found to be installed that required the nose be removed. Once in, these items will make the aircraft more complete. I will be honest and say that I have no idea what items they are, but the go on the nose, some one told me a more correct gun bracket, but I think that may have been hangar talk.

Camo on the George is correct. A huge debate went on about that. ha Ha

[DaveM2]

Shay

You are correct about the 262, a large body of documentary evidence from a leading Luftwaffe researcher was sent, and the original scheme is very attractive (I have posted a photo of it before, and even though it was in black &white). Be very nice to see it finished in original colours! Once again I guess it is a priority and money thing. Same thing with the NASM 109, the original scheme and wk.nr. is now known. It is however an 'ugly' scheme - a dirty brown haphazardly applied.
The Ar234s original StKz codes have also been discovered, and although that would not require a 'repaint' as such, I some how doubt they will be changed anytime soon. For 95% of those looking at it, the code is irrelevant.......

Dave

[Randy Haskin]

For the mustang afficinados. What is this? I've not seen this on other mustangs or atleast never noticed.

Oil breather tube vent.

Most surplus Mustangs have this tube relocated down to the belly.

[Steve Nelson]

Stang: some Marauders had a fixed .50 firing through the nose on the lower right side..I wonder if the Museum is intsalling one. It's been cool watching them slowly bring the aircraft back to combat configuration over the years. A few years ago, she had similar peice of plexi covering the end of the fuselage, while they were fabricating the tail gunner's station. They also added the fuselage "package" guns about the same time.

It's interesting to hear complaints about the inaccurate markings on the NMUSAF Me-262, while others in the Swoose thread have been complaining that the NASM has lavished too much attention on Axis aircraft. Not critisizing either view, just pointing out that you can't please everybody...


SN

[Shay]

Thanks Randy.


MD

Also Mustangdriver you might want to mention it to the museum that the Memorial Park trees are being descimated by Japanese Beatles. Some trees were almost completely scalped. Shame to see such a beautful place that remembers those who gave being ravaged by such a destructive bug.

Steve

I'm not complaining, I just thought it would be worth mentioning in the display the true identitiy of the aircraft. Perhaps an original photo.

What I'd love to see a museum do is gather great group of seasoned modeler. Who would research the scheme to be displayed, and executed with all the correct details and weathering. Some of the most anal people I know.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Steve Nelson]

What I'd love to see a museum do is gather great group of seasoned modeler. Who would research the scheme to be displayed, and executed with all the correct details and weathering. Some of the most anal people I know.

I resemble that remark!

Seriously, though..I too like to see museum aircraft depicted in accurate paint schemes (I like the fact that the museum has repainted the Ju-88 in its original Romanian markings.) I didn't realize the 262's original markings were known. I'm fine with the current "generic" scheme for now, but I hope they do repaint it when time and funds permit.

Too bad to hear about the trees. The Memorial Park has become a beautiful place over the years.

SN

[Garth]

I resemble that remark!

Reminds me of that article in Fine Scale Modeler (I think) a few years back featuring a parody diorama of an 8th AF "Weathering Competition" where different fighter squadrons were competing to see who could weather their P-47s the most.

The model of the P-47 where the crew chief was busy highlighting the panel lines with a spray gun was absolutely priceless.

(edit, it was April 2005 p.18.)

[Steve Nelson]

I saw that diorama in person at the IPMS Nationals a couple of years ago. I've got some pics of it somewhere, along with the "official" memo with the painting instructions (complete with authentic coffee rings stains.)

SN

[Django]

Maybe you could post those in the Model area? Please? Pretty please?